El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars, others allegedly risk being banned by the NFF

Posted : 04 July 2024

Newly promoted Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) side and reigning President Federation Cup champion, El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Lobi Stars, and some clubs in the NPFL are on the verge of being banned from all football activities if they fail to pay the judgment sum to their former players whose contracts were unilaterally terminated.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), through its Players' Status and Arbitration Committee, on May 24, 2024, ordered El-Kanemi to settle the debt within 30 days from the date of the decision, with a grace period of 15 additional days, totaling 45 days.

Through their legal representative, FIFA Licensed Football Agent Mr. Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, the players Bala Yusuf Mohammed, Adoyi Emmanuel, and Suleiman Sadiq Abubakar had written to the Nigeria Football Federation, explaining in detail how El-Kanemi Warriors had treated them unjustly by unlawfully breaching the contract binding them.

After reviewing documents submitted by the claimants and the response from El-Kanemi Warriors, the NFF found that the club was guilty of unilaterally terminating the players' contracts without just cause and ordered the Maiduguri-based club to settle the overdue payables.

Although the NFF ruled that the team should pay 50 percent of the owed salaries, this reduced amount has not been paid by the club to date.

According to the decision of the NFF Players' Status and Arbitration Committee, if El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars, and others fail to adhere to the verdict of the NFF on or before July 8, 2024, they will not be cleared to participate in any football activities within and outside Nigeria.

The legal representative of the players, Mr. Eddie Iseri Ogbemudia, said, "It's a new dawn for Nigerian football. The current composition of the NFF Players' Status and Arbitration Committee consists of men who desire to write their names in gold in the history book of Nigerian football. From the few opportunities I have had before the committee, it is clear they are ready to take decisive action regardless of who is involved.

"It's unfortunate that one of our continental representatives in the CAF Confederation Cup is among those who will suffer this fate. I believe they still have a few days to rectify the situation or face the consequences.

"Time is ticking, and El-Kanemi Warriors FC, Lobi Stars FC, and other clubs will soon know their fate!"

El-Kanemi Warriors, Lobi Stars, others allegedly risk being banned by the NFF

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